Council votes in favour of controversial Haymarket hotel

A TOWERING 17-storey hotel is set to be built near Haymarket Station after city councillors gave the go-ahead for the controversial £200 million plans this morning.

During a lengthy meeting of the planning committee, councillors voted ten-five in favour of the scheme, which will be built on the site of the former Morrison Street goods yard.

As well as a flagship 192-bedroom five-star hotel that will be seen from miles around, the plans also include a neighbouring three-star 245-bedroom Travelodge, offices, shops and restaurants.

Luxury chain InterContinental is to run the main hotel, which includes a swimming pool and bar at the top of the hotel and conference facilities.

City planning leader Jim Lowrie said: "This is a superb development and will bring vitality to this area.

"The high building isn't too obtrusive. It's a world-class building, and we need (it] for this city."

During the debate, John Nesbitt, managing director of the firm behind the scheme – Tiger Developments – and architect Richard Murphy urged councillors to back their plans, promising a "landmark building".

Mr Murphy said: "This is a concept of a more vibrant and exciting place. Things that are new shouldn't necessarily be seen as threatening.
"We're not talking about just any sort of hotel here – if you wish to have a landmark building, it has to be seen."

But community leaders and local councillors all voiced their opposition. The Cockburn Association compared the 17-storey hotel to Edinburgh University's unpopular Appleton Tower building, while Edinburgh World Heritage Trust deputy director Jane Jackson said: "The proposed tower is alien".

SNP city centre councillor David Beckett, who was speaking as a local representative, said: "This is completely inappropriate in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the world."

However, planning committee member and Labour councillor Maureen Child said: "I think this will be a contribution to the skyline.

"If we were to refuse it, it would be an opportunity badly missed."
Lending her support, former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds admitted: "We will be damned or we might be congratulated in the future."

The five councillors who opposed the development were the Lib Dem's Charles Dundas, Tory Joanna Mowat, Green councillor Steve Burgess, the SNP's Colin Keir and Lib Dem Gary Peacock.

Councillors Lowrie, Hinds, Child, Alastair Paisley, Stuart Roy McIvor, Eric Milligan, Elaine Morris, Rob Munn, Cameron Rose and Marjorie Thomas all voted in favour.

The Haymarket redevelopment is estimated to generate £8.75m per year for the city, and create nearly 1700 local jobs.

Previous proposals, drawn up by council development firm EDI, already have planning permission, but will now be "superseded" by today's decision.

Councillors have stipulated a number of conditions, however, including the establishment of a stakeholder group with local residents and further consideration of the location of public toilets. Backers will also have to pay £4.14m towards Edinburgh's tram network.

Because the council has a financial interest in the site, which was formerly owned by EDI, the application will now pass to Scottish Ministers for final approval. However, it is thought unlikely they will step in.